Matters Arising, January 2020

View from the Chair
A new year, a new Government and an opportunity to embrace new things and to look forward.

One new thing is Wendover’s Neighbourhood Plan which will be put to the village in a referendum and no matter how tired your voting pencil is we hope that you’ll vote for this vital plan. It will, when it’s adopted, give Wendover real control over future development and it will protect our green spaces. The date for your diary is Thursday 30th January 2020.

The Parish Council is looking forward to our Community Awards which, for the first time, will be decided by you. More voting I’m afraid but it’s good to recognise at least some of the people and organisations that work so hard to make our community flourish.

So, Happy New Year to you all.
Tom Walsh, Chairman, Wendover Parish Council

Christmas Celebration
Wednesday 4 December Wendover Parish Council hosted their Christmas Celebration on Manor Waste: a festive evening that left the centre of Wendover buzzing!

Wendover Parish Council would like to thank the businesses who donated to the Christmas event. All proceeds from the event were donated to Wendover Action Group – Providers of the Wendover Community Car. Kings Farm Shop, Popcorn and Candy Floss, Monsta Pizza and The Coffee Stop all kindly donated 10% of their Christmas event takings. Budgens Wendover sponsored a £50 voucher for the winner of the ‘Guess how many’ competition, which was held on the evening. Many thanks to Wendover Heritage & Sons Funeral Directors for their sponsorship towards the reindeer this year. Finally, we would like to thank Mix 96 for switching on the Christmas tree lights, Harpenden Building Society for sponsoring the Christmas tree on Manor Waste and John Colet School Choir for their wonderful performances!

Grants
Did you know that Wendover Parish Council sets an annual minor and major grant budget in order to provide financial assistance to organisations, projects and activities which provide services for local residents? Applicants for funding must meet an eligibility criterion, for more information please refer to the Grants Policy which can be found on our website https://www.wendover-pc.gov.uk/grants. Please note the closing date for a major grants application is Friday 31 January 2020, to be awarded in the new financial year from April 2020.

Wendover Community Awards
This year Wendover Parish Council are doing things a little bit differently when it comes to the Community Awards. We want to hear from you! Residents are invited to nominate people who they feel deserve an award and the winners will be honoured at the Annual Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 30 April 2020. This year the categories will be Outstanding Young Person, Creative Arts, Lifetime Achievement, Sporting Achievement, Service with a Smile and Volunteer with a Smile. For more information or to place a nomination please visit https://www.wendover-pc.gov.uk/community-awards. Wendover Community Awards aim to recognise and celebrate people in our community who have made an outstanding contribution to the wellbeing and community spirit of the village and the people who live here.